Employees don’t always look into this essential detail when they’re caught up in the excitement of accepting a job offer and starting a new job, but a few years later, when they’re ready to move on, the question still has to be dealt with: How to leave? How can you gracefully back away from the workplace that you were once so happy to enter? What formal and informal steps should you take in order to tie up your loose ends and leave positive relationships behind?

Rule Number One: Provide Notice

Few things upset employers more than an employee who simply fails to show up at work one day, never to be seen again. If your employment agreement involves a signed contract, this move may actually be illegal, and simply disappearing can land you on the wrong of a lawsuit, or worse. But since most working arrangements are “at-will” agreements, it’s more likely that your sudden disappearance will simply cause your employer some hardship and inconvenience. In other words, you’re legally free to leave at any time, for any reason, but doing so without warning is rude and can hurt your professional reputation. If you don’t give notice, don’t plan come back and ask for a recommendation later.

Keep Your Notice Limited to Two Weeks

Giving notice more than two weeks in advance can provide your employer with ample time to replace you, but this courtesy may come at a cost on your end. If your replacement is found before you’re ready to leave, your employment may end sooner than you planned. Wait until your new job offer is signed and sealed and your new start date is set in stone before you provide a warning of exactly ten business days.

Tell the Right People in the Right Order

When it comes to giving notice, success lies not just in what you do, but in how you do it. Think carefully and use your diplomacy. Most of the time, it’s a good idea to break the news to your boss verbally first, then follow this meeting with a formal written document. Try to tell your boss before you tell anyone else include her boss, her peers, or your own peers and coworkers. If you have a question or need some guidance on how to proceed, it’s also okay to approach your HR manager first. Just make sure you exercise discretion and respect and don’t allow your boss to be caught off guard or placed in a difficult position.

For more on how to make a graceful exit and leave your current job in style, reach out to the staffing and job search team at Expert.